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These symptoms may be caused by other conditions. If your child has any of these symptoms, talk to their doctor.

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your child’s symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will also be done. The doctor may ask you to keep a diary of how often your child empties their bladder and other urinary habits. The doctor may recommend tests to rule out other conditions:

Urinalysis—test of the urine to look for evidence of infection or kidney problems

Blood tests—to look for evidence of kidney problems

Bladder function tests—to measure how well the muscles of the bladder respond to filling and emptying

Imaging tests may also be done to evaluate the bladder and urinary tract. These may include:

Treatment

Talk with the doctor about the best treatment plan for your child. Treatment options include the following:

Medication

The doctor may recommend that your child take antibiotics to prevent urinary tract infections.

Other medication may also be used to improve bladder function.

Catheters

A thin tube, called a catheter, can be inserted to empty your child’s bladder. You can learn to do this for your child, or a trained healthcare professional may do it.

Surgery

If other treatments fail, surgery may be an option. The exact type of surgery will depend on what is causing the problems. Some surgical options include enlarging the bladder or creating an artificial sphincter to control urine flow.

Prevention

Most cases of neurogenic bladder cannot be prevented.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.